Underwood Stakes – 2021

Track: Slow? Weather: Possible Showers

Just five runners are set to line up in the $1,000,000 Group 1 Underwood Stakes and the current Cox Plate favourite Zaaki is a very short priced favourite in early markets for this.  He was dominant winning the Tramway Stakes at Randwick first up and gets an inform Craig Williams in the saddle for the first time.  The second favourite is Probabeel.  She is on the quick back up after finishing fifth in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes at Caulfield last week.

Superstorm won the Feehan Stakes at his last start and carries the famous cerise and white silks of owner Bob Peters.  The Chosen One strips fitter after a good first up run in the Feehan, while Fifty Stars is looking to recapture the form which saw him run Zaaki to 2.25 lengths in the Hollindale on the Gold Coast in May.

1. Fifty Stars

2020 Australian Cup winner now with Tom Dabernig at Warrnambool.  He was okay first up in the Memsie Stakes then struggled in the Makybe Diva Stakes last time.  Is unbeaten at two goes at Sandown and returning to softer ground suits.  Possible improver.

2. Zaaki

Seven year old gelding trained by Annabel Neasham at Warwick Farm.  He had an outstanding Brisbane Carnival with dominant wins in the Hollindale, Q22 & Doomben Cup.  Returned with another dominant display winning the Tramway Stakes at Randwick by 1.5 lengths on September 4.  Clearly the one to beat here.

3. The Chosen One

New Zealand trained gelding who finished fourth in last years Melbourne Cup.  He ran well first up in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley.  Rough hope.

4. Superstorm

Former Western Australian gelding now with Danny O’Brien.  He was able to take full advantage when the gap appeared to win the Feehan Stakes last start.  Fitter again here and maps well.

5. Probabeel

Is on the quick back up after finishing fifth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday.  She was in the wrong section of the track there and will derive good fitness from that run.  She ran well in last years Cox Plate and could be the quinella horse here.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings:  –